Flights to Kolkata

There’s no soft introduction to Kolkata. The moment your flight to Kolkata lands at the airport, you’re flung into an exuberant world of noise, colour and excitement. The roads are a swarm of rickshaws and yellow and black ambassador taxis, and the pavements throng with people. No matter what side of the Hooghly River you're on, the lively energy of the city never dulls.

They call it The City of Joy, and it's easy to see why. Look around, and you’ll notice Kolkata’s impressive colonial architecture, from the gleaming Victoria Monument to the Raj Bhavan government residence. Many of the buildings are as grand and proud as the day they were built, and all recall a time when Kolkata was at the centre of the world’s largest empire.

The British East India Company arrived in 1690, seizing control of three villages: Sutanuti, Gobindapur and Kalikata. Soon they had built Fort William on the banks of the Hooghly, and established Calcutta (as it was once known) as a base in India. The city became a vital centre for trade between Europe and Asia, but it was also the centre of the independence movement in India. By 1911 the British had relocated the capital to Delhi, and Kolkata became the capital of the state of West Bengal.

In a cosmopolitan and historically rich city like Kolkata, it’s no surprise that the food and restaurants are extremely diverse. There are the usual western chains and all kinds of international cuisines available, from Chinese to Italian. There are also lots of Indian restaurants, representing styles and cuisines from all over the country. But one cuisine has an overriding influence on Kolkata’s culinary scene: Bengali food.
With its emphasis on fish, vegetables and pulses, and bold spicy flavours, the food of Bengal is as distinctive as it is delicious.

Like everything in the city, its colonial past has left a distinct impression on its accommodation offering. Some of the best hotels in Kolkata were built during the days of the British Raj, such as the reassuringly expensive Grand Hotel (now an Oberoi hotel), with its neoclassical styling and green courtyard. But even at the other end of the luxury scale, the almost mythical Fairlawn Hotel on Sudder Street (built in 1783) is full of old-world character.

The city counts legendary film director Satyajit Ray and celebrated poet Rabindranath Tagore among its cherished sons. And there are plenty of museums, galleries, cinemas and theatres showcasing Kolkata’s many art forms, from its Kalighat paintings of Hindu deities to its growing indie music scene.

What to do in Kolkata

Visit the Marble Palace

With its eclectic collection of Victorian curios, paintings, statues and busts – plus a hoard of kitsch items of somewhat lesser importance – the Marble Palace is one of Kolkata’s best-kept secrets. Built by Raja Rajendra Mullick Bahadur, a wealthy Bengali merchant, in 1835, the neoclassical mansion has Doric pillars, open courtyards and an on-site zoo.

Visit New Market

Immerse yourself in Kolkata’s vibrant markets. Housed in a British colonial building, the New Market (which opened in 1874) has more than 2,000 stalls. The Mullik Ghat Flower Market is an astonishing riot of colour, or if books are your bag, head over to College Street, where the booksellers’ shelves are almost as colourful.

Visit Kolkata's potters' quarter

Kumartuli is a traditional potters’ quarter, where clay idols are made for Kolkata’s many religious festivals, from Durga Puja to Kali Puja. Calcutta Photo Tours will give you a unique opportunity to capture the craftsmen at work, as a pantheon of gods and goddesses of all shapes, sizes and colours are born. July to January is the best time to visit.

Where to eat in Kolkata

Peter Cat (Indian)

Largely unchanged since the 1960s, this legendary restaurant and nightlife venue off Park Street is like a time capsule. The lighting is subdued, and the vibe is always lively; when uniformed waiters bring out your chelo kebabs and drinks in pewter tankards, you’ll understand why this restaurant is still one of the most popular in town.

18 Park St
Taltala
West Bengal
700071
+91 33 2229 8841

Oh! Calcutta (Bengali)

This might be a chain restaurant, tucked away on the fourth floor of a shopping mall, but for high-end Bengali food you won’t find much better. The decor is slick, as is the service, but it’s the traditional dishes like macher jhol (fish curry) and kosha mangsho (mutton curry) that will keep you coming back.

Nizam’s (Street food)

Founded in 1932, Nizam’s lays claim to the creation of one of Kolkata’s most celebrated delicacies: the kati roll. This snack consists of bamboo-skewered barbecued meat, onions, chillis and sometimes egg, smothered in sauce and wrapped up in a paratha. There might be other places to find a kati roll in Kolkata, but Nizam’s is the original.

23/24 Hogg Street
BBD Bagh
New Market
700087
+919 83 619 4669

Places to stay in Kolkata

The Park

Situated at the heart of the action on trendy Park Street, this boutique hotel has won awards for its ultra-modern design and excellent service. It’s the flagship hotel of The Park chain, which you can see reflected in its fine restaurants, luxury day spa and all-round attention to detail.

17 Park Street
Taltala
West Benegal
700016
+91 33 2249 9000

The Corner Courtyard

Part boutique hotel, part restaurant, this century-old townhouse has been lovingly restored by owner Magha Agarwal, and now has some of the most sought-after beds in Kolkata. There are seven themed rooms clustered around a colourful courtyard where you can tuck into tasty international dishes.

92B Sarat Bose Road
Hazra
Bhowanipore
700026
+91 99 0399 9567

Oberoi Grand

Affectionately known as the Grand Dame of Kolkata, this fine colonial era hotel delights guests with its huge ballroom, colonnaded verandas and porticos. Now owned by the Oberoi group, it’s still considered one of the most luxurious hotels in India, and is the perfect retreat from the bustling city.

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Kolkata - Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Galleries

Discover the rich and fascinating history of West Bengal with a trip to its vibrant capital, Kolkata. Home to an array of cultural attractions, esteemed art museums and intellectual institutions, Kolkata is considered one of India’s most exciting creative hubs. Venture into its core and you’ll find plenty of bustling bars and elegant restaurants, perfect for when the sun, finally, goes downRead more Kolkata - Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Galleries

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